News

A Note on Shared Ownership

July 13, 2020

Although shared ownership has been around for a long time and is a well-established feature of the housing market, not everyone is clued up on the detail of how it works. If you are a new Board Member or a developer thinking about undertaking shared ownership for the first time you might find this note… View Article

Tenant Voice

April 18, 2019

Despite roadshows and commitments given by government, in particular following the Grenfell tragedy, the Government appears to be backtracking on pledges to give social housing tenants a stronger voice. Leslie Channon, the chair of A Voice for Tenants has written an open letter to housing Minister Kit Malthouse setting out the group’s disappointment at the… View Article

Housing Infrastructure Fund

April 18, 2019

Councils that were on a list to receive funds from the Housing Infrastructure Fund have missed out on tens of millions of pounds.  The government originally listed 110 councils that were to get a share of £866m for 133 projects. However, a new list has been published which reduces the funding to £611m shared between… View Article

Brexit – No-Deal Funding

April 5, 2019

The government has refused to commit resources to keep London building if there is a no-deal Brexit (see blog 1/3/19). The Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, instead set out actions that the Government is already taking, with assurances that the government is preparing for every Brexit eventuality. The Mayor’s office has subsequently announced additional funds… View Article

Review of Leasehold System

April 5, 2019

When made aware of developers selling homes on a leasehold basis, with ground rents that can double every 10 – 15 years the government has acted to bring this practice to an end through a package of leasehold reforms.  As a consequence of these reforms, 40 leading property developers have signed a pledge to end… View Article

Housing Investment

April 5, 2019

Just how much is the government investing in housing?  The UK Housing Review shows that in recent years, government investment in housing has increased and will reach around £70bn from now until 2023. However, 79% of this investment goes toward funding the private sales market and does this leave sufficient funding for affordable housing options?… View Article

Lambeth Council

March 29, 2019

Lambeth Council has achieved housing association status for its housing company, Homes for Lambeth (HFL). HFL can now own and manage affordable housing delivered for and by the council as well as buy S106 homes on developments in the borough. Askival are supporting Lambeth Council’s estate regeneration programme with CPO project management support.

Increase in Social Rent Starts

March 29, 2019

The number of social rent homes delivered by housing associations in the final three months of last year is the highest recorded number since records began. The National Housing Federation survey also recorded that building of 1,707 social rent homes were started in the three months leading up to December 2018 which is an increase… View Article

Basildon & Swan Housing

March 22, 2019

Basildon Council and Swan Housing have been provided with £30m Estate Regeneration funding from Homes England for two schemes.  The schemes are at Beechwood Village and Laindon, Essex The Beechwood scheme will provide over 550 new homes with 110 of these affordable. The Laindon scheme delivers 210 homes and 7,000  sq m of commercial space…. View Article

Value Group

March 22, 2019

Housing development company, Value Group, has started fundraising for a newly registered provider that will build affordable housing in London and the Southeast. They are looking to raise funds of £2bn in order to deliver 10,000 affordable homes. Value Group plans to be the first ‘”private sector, fully integrated investor, developer and manager to focus… View Article